KUSHIL GUNASEKERA and the Foundation of Goodness at SEENIGAMA are synonymous with honesty and integrity and with what can be achieved by hard work in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Tsunami affected southern Sri Lanka.

In a star studded evening hosted by the evergreens – DAVID and CATHY CRUSE of the Knox Tavern – a packed audience were treated to a visual presentation of the havoc created by those two mighty waves on Boxing Day 2004 and the personal loss sustained by Kushil and then the resettlement and reawakening of the village of Seenigama.

Kushil himself was impressive. He spoke at length without the assistance of notes or prompting. His colour slides showed us the new village which is his magnificient obsession – one that has consumed him to the extent that he will spend the rest of his days with the village folk who love and adore him. Cricket grounds funded by the Surrey Cricket Club and an Olympic size swimming pool funded by Brian Adams complement the extensive housing project to which the Victorian government has made a significant contribution. AVIVA , KPMG and other notable organizations are strong supporters of Kushil and the Foundation of Goodness. DIMUTHU was a young girl that Jennifer Johns and I found beside the road at Seenigama – looking perplexed and tearful. She and what is left of her family now live at No. 6 AVIVA VILLAGE. She is learning English at one of the many activities that Kushil has commenced in the village to achieve a “holistic approach” to family life. Nihal de Run, Esther Hannibelsz and Ingrid and Joe Schokman will be with the Australia Sri Lanka Medical Aid Team in March when a sewing machine centre funded by Esther Hannibelsz will be opened at Seenigama on Tuesday 20th March. AusLMAT will conduct a general medical clinic at Kushil’s complex with Dr. Sian Hughes and Dr. Edward Jesudhason on Tuesday 20th.

The Hon. John Thwaites – Deputy Premier of Victoria – spoke of the joy and satisfaction that the Victorian government have had in funding the largest housing complex at Seenigama. And many were the donors who expressed the same satisfaction in being a part of this rebuilding, rehabilitation and re-awakening of a village so severely traumatized on Boxing Day 2004.

Alex Cooray the MC for the night brought the evening to a close after a great night of good food, fine wine, great speeches and a sense of pride that we all felt in being a part of the SEENIGAMA success.

Stephen Grellet 1773-1855 said “ I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now: let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again”.

Courtesy of Sports n News (SNNI) Melbourne